A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

“Those who teach Latin must know how to speak to the hearts of the young, know how to treasure the very rich heritage of the Latin tradition to educate them in the path of life, and accompany them along paths rich in hope and confidence.”
— Pope Francis (7 December 2017)

Some of you may have noticed that over the last two weeks I have completely redone my contributions to Year A on the Chabanel Psalms Website. These new compositions are all being named in honor of the English Martyrs.

I’ve noticed that, quite often, the Year A Psalms have a special connection with the Saints after which they are named.

For instance, the antiphon “I love you, Lord, my strength” was named in honor of Blessed John Beche (†1539), an Abbot who was hung, drawn, and quartered. Blessed John Beche, then, knew well the meaning of the prayer that proclaimed God as our strength. Blessed Beche also showed that he loved God, by suffering so much.

Another example would be this Psalm:

God the LORD has spoken and summoned the earth,from the rising of the sun to its setting.“Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,for your holocausts are before me always.”

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,for mine are the world and its fullness.Do I eat the flesh of strong bulls,or is the blood of goats my drink?”

“Offer to God praise as your sacrificeand fulfill your vows to the Most High;then call upon me in time of distress;I will rescue you, and you shall glorify me.”

. . . named in honor of Blessed Thomas Johnson (†1537), a Carthusian monk who was starved to death.

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